Automobile servicing apparatus having a turntable including a retractable lift

Abstract

An automobile servicing apparatus includes a turntable which is rotatably supported and which is provided with a pair of retractable lift mechanisms. The turntable is also provided with a pair of storing spaces defined below its top surface for supporting thereon an automobile to be serviced. Each of the lift mechanisms is provided with a top flat plate which contacts the underside of the automobile when lifting and which is set in flush with the top surface of the turntable when set in its retracted position. Thus, there is provided a completely flat surface without any big holes when the lift mechanisms are set in their retracted position.

What is claimed is: 
     
       1. An automobile servicing apparatus comprising: a rotatably supported turntable including a storing space which is defined below a top surface of said turntable on which an automobile to be serviced may be supported;   a retractable lift means mounted on said turntable, said lift means lifting said automobile to be serviced to a desired height above the top surface of said turntable when advanced and being received completely in said storing space of said turntable when set in its retracted position, thereby providing a substantially flat top surface without any big holes at the top surface of said turntable;   first driving means for driving to rotate said turntable in a desired direction; and   second driving means for driving to operate said retractable lift means,   said second driving means including a power source provided outside of said turntable and a rotary connection unit which establishes an operative connection between said power source and said lift means.   
     
     
       2. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said rotary connection unit is disposed at the center of and below said turntable and said rotary connection unit is received in an internal chamber defined at the center of and below the top surface of said turntable. 
     
     
       3. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said lift means includes a pair of lift mechanisms which are spaced apart from each other over a predetermined distance and mounted on said turntable symmetrically with respect to its center. 
     
     
       4. The apparatus of claim 3, wherein each of said lift mechanisms has a flat top plate which may be brought into contact with the underside of the automobile to be serviced when lifting said automobile and which may constitute a part of the top surface of said turntable when set in its retracted position. 
     
     
       5. The apparatus of claim 3, wherein each of said lift mechanisms is of a link or pantagraph type. 
     
     
       6. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said turntable has an anti-skid surface structure at least partly. 
     
     
       7. The apparatus of claim 6, wherein said anti-skid structure includes a plurality of upward projections. 
     
     
       8. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said turntable is provided with a plurality of small through-holes so as to allow water to pass through. 
     
     
       9. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said first driving means includes a drive wheel in rolling contact with said turntable to cause said turntable to rotate. 
     
     
       10. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising supporting means for rotatably supporting said turntable, said supporting means including a plurality of rollers which are arranged circumferentially to support said turntable at a plurality of points.